“Having approached closer, we realized that it was two life-size golden statues of horses shining in the rays of the rising sun. How much gold was spent on this miracle and how rich is the khan? These are the questions I asked myself at that moment,”- such lines about the golden horses of Batu were written in his report by the ambassador of Saint Louis - Willem Rubruck.
Ancient legends about treasures that disappeared mysteriously for many centuries have excited the imagination of archaeologists and adventurers-treasure hunters, who still do not lose hope of finding the legendary treasures. They are not embarrassed that, most likely, these are just beautiful fairy tales that have nothing to do with real history. However, the legendary treasures of the Golden Horde, although they look like a fairy tale, still have documentary evidence. In the annals, there are references to luxurious golden horses located at the entrance to the capital of the Horde, but their disappearance has no documentary evidence - some legends that pass from century to century and lead to searches for disappeared treasures.
Batu's golden horses witnessed the rise and fall of the mighty empire. According to ancient legends, the Army of Khan Batu dreamed of overshadowing the greatness of other rulers and amaze everyone with the luxury of the capital of the Horde. So that everyone could immediately see the greatness and wealth of the empire, the khan ordered to install statues of two life-size golden horses at the entrance to the capital. According to legends, it took 15 tons of pure gold to create these golden guards of the capital of the Golden Horde - all the tribute collected in a year, and instead of eyes they shone with real rubies. It is not known for certain whether the horses were entirely poured out of gold or were hollow inside.
After Batu's death, the statues of horses were moved to the new capital by order of Khan Berke, and their disappearance is associated with the period of the collapse of the powerful empire and Mamai, who was defeated in the Battle of Kulikovo. According to legend, the khan was buried under the fortress wall of the capital, and one of the golden horses was placed in his grave. However, there are many versions about the true grave of Mamai, and it is not known for certain where the khan was buried, and whether he could be given such honor. It is likely that the golden horse was buried from the grave of another khan.
Interestingly, in most legends, only one horse appears, the disappearance of which is associated with the name of Mamai, and the question arises: what fate befell the second horse? In the Trans-Volga Cossack villages, there is a legend about the abduction of a golden horse from Saray-Berke by a Cossack detachment, which captured the city for a couple of hours, but was forced to retreat, daring to grab the capital's golden sucker. The Horde organized a pursuit, and it was unrealistic to leave with a heavy baggage train. The Cossacks died in a fight with enemies, but before that they managed to hide the statue. The only question remains: where could the golden horse disappear? It would take a long time to bury it in the steppe, so it is likely that the statue was drowned in a nearby river.
Being a symbol of the power of the great Golden Horde, Batu's golden horses disappeared without a trace, and the location of these treasures is hidden in the darkness of centuries. Archaeologists and treasure hunters are guided by the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions of Russia, as the supposed places where these treasures can be buried. Did they really exist or are they just beautiful legends? One of the many mysteries of history, to which the answer has not yet been found, and who knows, maybe someone else will be lucky enough to find these mysterious treasures of the Horde.